New Sun Peaks mayor and council officially sworn in 

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality’s newly elected mayor and council were officially sworn in during the inaugural council meeting held Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

Mayor Jason White and councillors Rob O’Toole, Brian Gillespie, David Burnham and Elizabeth Wilkinson took their oaths of office, marking the beginning of the 2026 to 2030 council term.

The ceremony was conducted by the Director of Corporate & Legislative Services and Chief Election Officer, Donna Monteith, with each member individually taking their oath.

During the meeting, council also received the official 2026 local government election report, which outlined voter turnout and ballot results from the Oct. 17 election.

According to the election results, O’Toole received 258 votes, followed by Gillespie with 237, Burnham with 207 and Wilkinson with 201.

The municipality offered two advance voting opportunities, mail-in ballots and voting on election day. Voter participation remained consistent with previous municipal elections, with turnout in the low 300s, according to Monteith.

White, who was elected by acclamation in October, takes over from former mayor Rob O’Toole, who returns to council alongside Gillespie. Burnham and Wilkinson join as newly elected councillors.

During his opening remarks, White thanked outgoing councillors Kelly Dye, Len Hrycan and Julie Kimmel for their contributions to the community and welcomed the new council. 

“I look forward to working with Dave and Liz as well and as we all collaborate together and try to make Sun Peaks a better place everyday,” White said. 

White also reflected on his connection to Sun Peaks, which began when he first visited Todd Mountain to ski in the late 1970s, and said he hopes to give back to the community through his new role.

He closed the meeting by acknowledging the influence of former mayor Al Raine, who passed away in 2025.

“If we go back a few years or a couple years, just be more like Al. That’s what I would like to be, is like Al. He was a very important mentor of mine,” White said. “Al, I hope I’m ready and I hope I do you proud.”